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TSA encourages travelers departing LAX to be prepared for end-of-year-travel rush

LOS ANGELES - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provided useful tips for those who are traveling out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the end-of-the-year holiday season.

The official end-of-the-year holiday travel season is projected to start tomorrow, Friday, December 15, and continue through Tuesday, January 2. During this period, TSA is projecting higher than usual travel volumes at airports nationwide leading to reminders to arrive at the airport early and prepared. At LAX, TSA expects to screen more than 1.9 million people through the airport’s security checkpoints tomorrow through January 2.

The busiest days of the holiday season locally and nationally for air travel are projected to be Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 as well as Thursday, December 28 and Friday, December 29, 2023.

With a steady volume of departing travelers at LAX, TSA projects 774,000 people will be screened between December 17 and December 23. Security operations will be even busier the week of December 24 through December 30 when more than 791,000 people are projected to be screened at LAX.

Starting December 31 through January 2, TSA projects it will screen more than 100,000 people per day at LAX with the busiest single day during the holiday travel period occurring on Tuesday, January 2 when more than 117,000 people are expected to be screened at LAX.

“We have been planning for the end-of-the-year holiday travel rush at LAX for the past several months, ensuring that we have all of our security assets in place to ensure a smooth and efficient screening process for all travelers,” said TSA Federal Security Director at LAX Jason Pantages. “Travelers can expect to see checkpoints staffed and lanes open We encourage the traveling public to take a few minutes and prepare for the security screening process to help keep our operations efficient and smooth.” 

During the screening process in the security checkpoint, travelers are reminded to remove items from their pockets such as phones, keys or loose change. These items should be secure in their carry-on bags instead of placing them in bins. This simple step will prevent items from being left behind in the checkpoint and ending up in the local Lost and Found.  

The most common thing that slows down screening at a TSA checkpoint is having a prohibited item in a carry-on bag. This will guarantee that the traveler will experience a bag check in the checkpoint, slowing the process down for the traveler as well as reducing the overall efficiency of the screening process.

Two of the most common prohibited items TSA officers encounter are liquids, gels and aerosols (LGAs) in excess of 3.4 ounces and knives. Since 2006, TSA has limited the amount of LGAs a traveler can bring into the cabin of the aircraft to 3.4 ounces, which is equivalent to 100 ml. Any liquid in a quantity greater than 3.4 ounces such as lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock and hair gel should be placed in a checked bag. As for knives, if you must travel with them, they must be placed in your checked bag.

Here are five things travelers can do now to be prepared for the end-of-the-year holiday travel season:

1. Download your California digital ID. TSA PreCheck-eligible travelers screened through select lanes in LAX’s Terminals 3 and 7 can use their California mobile driver license (mDL) for identity verification. California Department of Motor Vehicles has made the mDL available at no cost. Just download the CA DMV Wallet app from the  Apple App Store  or  Google Play and follow the steps to add it to your smartphone. Travelers can use the California mDL in lieu of handing over their physical photo ID to the TSA security screening officer when entering the checkpoint.

2. Use TSA resources to travel smart. To avoid bringing prohibited items in carry-on luggage, unpack your bag before you pack it. By starting with an empty bag or suitcase, you are less likely to bring a prohibited item to the security checkpoint. If you aren’t sure how to travel with an item, visit TSA.gov or download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).

3. Place gifts in gift bags instead of wrapping them . Wrapped items are screened just like any other item. If a wrapped item alarms the security screening technology whether in carry-on or checked luggage, a security officer may have to unwrap it to determine what the item is and confirm it does not pose a security threat. Consider traveling with unwrapped items or placing them in a gift bag for easy access and resolution.

4. Make a plan for t raveling with holiday foods. Individuals often like to travel with food items during the holiday season. Solid food items like fruitcake, candy canes and chocolates are solids and may be transported in a carry-on bag. However, liquids and spreadable foods such as egg nog, wine, champagne, maple syrup and preserves are not solid and should be packed in checked bags. Here’s a helpful tip: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and it is larger than 3.4 ounces, it needs to be packed in a checked bag. 5. Confirm your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your airline reservation. If you have enrolled as a Trusted Traveler, make sure your KTN and correct date of birth are in your airline reservation so you will be eligible for TSA PreCheck screening. There are more than 90 airlines that participate in TSA PreCheck and TSA offers the TSA PreCheck experience at every airport nationwide. Travelers 17 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling with an TSA PreCheck-eligible parent or guardian on the same itinerary.

LAX traffic mess continues amid construction

Construction causes traffic at lax.

Drivers trying to get to LAX on St. Patrick's Day faced a nightmare, with construction causing longer-than-expected closures, leading to backed up traffic.

LOS ANGELES - Construction at  Los Angeles International Airport continues to cause major traffic delays for travelers.

LAX warned travelers the airport was anticipating "increased traffic congestion" Sunday due to construction and several road closures in the area. 

"Guests are encouraged to arrive early, pre-book parking and use Cell Phone Waiting Lots to help with vehicle traffic," LAX said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Boeing 777 makes emergency landing at LAX

American Airlines' Boeing 777 plane made an emergency landing at LAX. No injuries were reported in the flight.

Traffic was also impacted in the LA area Sunday due to the annual Los Angeles Marathon. 

On Friday, officials said that to facilitate work for the airport's Automated People Mover, a temporary overnight closure of Century Boulevard's eastbound lanes between Sepulveda and Airport Boulevards and westbound lanes between Airport Boulevard and Vicksburg Avenue would be implemented until 7 a.m. Sunday. However, they added that dates and times were subject to change.

Last month, LAX announced the delay of the People Mover, an electric train that would take people around LAX. It has six stations total – three inside the Central Terminal Area (CTA) and three outside the CTA. LAX broke ground on the project in March of 2019 and had anticipated completion by this year. The completion date has now been pushed back to 2025.

In an update Sunday afternoon, LAX said "normal traffic" had resumed. 

"Some flight times may be impacted due to previous traffic congestion. Please contact your carrier for up-to-date information," the airport said.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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LAX is getting so many upgrades, it's almost an entirely different airport

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles International Airport is often derided for congestion and delays, which makes sense given its status as the fifth busiest airport in the world.

But the changes that are currently taking shape as part of a $30 billion capital improvement program have the potential to transform LAX into an enjoyable, even desirable experience. Following are status updates on the many upgrades being made in the lead-up to the Olympics and beyond.

Automated People Mover

What is it: An electric, automated train designed to shuttle people between the LAX terminals and three stops outside the airport — long-term parking, a rental car facility and a Metro C Line stop. The elevated track is 2.25 miles. Trips are expected to take about ten minutes.

Current status: LAX is electrifying the rails and will begin testing the new train cars this summer.

Estimated completion: 2024

Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility, aka ConRAC

What is it: A single, off-site hub for all the rental car companies that operate at the airport, the ConRAC facility will be accessed with the Automated People Mover. When finished, it will be the largest rental car facility in the world, with room for 18,000 vehicles. 

Current status: LAX is working with rental car companies to build out their spaces.

Estimated completion: Around the time the Automated People Mover begins service.

Smart parking

What is it: A system that allows people to make parking reservations online in advance instead of needing to drive around hoping to find an open spot. Reservations can be made here .

Current status: It is currently available in the 4,300-space LAX Economy parking lot on 94th Street and will be expanded to other locations.

Estimated completion: The system will be available for the seven parking structures in the central terminal area by fall of 2023.

Biometric boarding

What is it: A system that uses a facial recognition machine to scan an individual’s face and determine whether that person is booked on a flight and allowed to board without needing to show any paperwork or ID. 

Current status: In use at the Tom Bradley International terminal. LAX is assessing the technology to determine if it will roll out across the airport. 

Estimated completion: Not yet determined.

Common use lounges

What is it: Lounge areas for people to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the terminal, similar to the private lounges offered by many airlines for frequent flier members with comfortable seating, snacks and beverages.

Current status: LAX is considering deploying the first common-use lounge at the west gate of the Tom Bradley International Terminal and may roll it out to other terminals.

Terminals 2 and 3

What’s happening: Following updates to the Delta Air Lines headhouse, ticketing, security screening and baggage claim areas into one building last year, LAX is adding a new Delta One check-in counter and a ninth gate to Terminal 3, as well as a connector bridge from Terminal 3 to the Tom Bradley International Terminal post-security screening.

Current status: Under construction.

Estimated completion: December 2023.

Terminals 4 and 5

What’s happening: Building on the opening of a vertical core that helps people access the baggage claim and check-in lobby more easily, LAX will open a new Terminal 4 headhouse with new ticketing counters and baggage claim carousels for American Airlines, as well as a consolidated security screening checkpoint.

Estimated completion: Early 2028.

What’s happening: Alaska Air is improving the terminal with additional gates and a connection to the future Automated People Mover. LAX is also improving the terminal to provide access through Terminal 5 to the new train.

Estimated completion: March 2024.

Tom Bradley International Terminal

What’s happening: LAX is building so-called vertical cores to help people move through the area more easily. It is also adding space for baggage, offices, restrooms and additional concessions.

Midfield Satellite Concourse South

What is it: An extension of the Tom Bradley International Terminal’s West Gate that will include more gates and concessions. The two-story, 50,000-square-foot building will add eight gates.

Estimated completion: Fall 2025.

Concourse 0

What is it: An extension of Terminal 1 in the space where LAX-it is currently located. The new terminal will be home to a variety of international and domestic airlines and will include an outdoor lounge space. LAX-it will be moved to a location with access to the Automated People Mover.

Current status: In the design phase.

Estimated completion: Some portions might be open prior to the 2028 LA Olympics.

What is it: A new 1.4-million-square-foot building that will be physically separated from the rest of the airport with a pedestrian bridge that connects to the opposite side of Sepulveda Boulevard from the airport. It will be accessible with the Automated People Mover and also new roadway access. Like Concourse 0, Terminal 9 will be used by a variety of different airlines and will incorporate some of the new concessions LAX is considering.

Current status: In the design process.

New concessions

What is it: LAX is considering ghost kitchens beyond what currently exists in Terminal 2 that will allow local restaurants to cook and showcase their food. LAX is also considering offering new services such as dry bars, nail salons and gyms, as well as pods — or private individual spaces — for people to work or sleep.

Current status: In development.

Estimated completion: Will roll out in phases as LAX identifies available spaces, but they will most likely be in Concourse 0 and Terminal 9.

Landscaping beautification

What is it: Many of the outdoor areas around the short-term parking lots at the center of the LAX horseshoe will be landscaped and have outdoor recreation and seating space. That area contains 13 potential acres that could be transformed into a pedestrian plaza accessible between the central terminal area parking lots and the terminals’ arrivals level using the existing crosswalks. 

Estimated completion: 2026.

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Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Temporary channel opens for boats working on bridge response

The cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday.

A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Six construction workers are believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below. The bodies of two of the victims have been recovered so far, while four remain missing and are presumed dead, officials said.

Latest headlines:

Channel needs to be cleared more in order to recover 4 remaining victims, biden to visit bridge on friday, temporary channel opens, what to know about the collapse.

The container ship Dali struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, partially collapsing the bridge , officials in Maryland said.

A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

The crash appeared to be accidental , not intentional, officials said.

Two construction workers were rescued and six went missing in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, officials said. The bodies of two of the victims were recovered from the water on Wednesday amid ongoing search and recovery efforts, while four remain missing and are presumed dead, officials said.

Legal team for ship argues for 'limited liability' in Bridge crash

Lawyers for the Singaporean company that operates the ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore say the company should have "limited liability" in the aftermath of the crash, according to court documents filed in federal court on Monday.

"The casualty was not due to any fault, neglect, or want of care on the part of Petitioners, the Vessel, or persons or entities for whose petitioners may be responsible," court documents filed in Maryland federal court say. "Alternatively, if any such faults caused or contributed to the Casualty, or to any loss or damage arising out of the casualty, which is denied, such faults were occasioned and occurred without petitioners’ privity or knowledge."

The filing seeks to minimize the financial exposure Grace Ocean Private Limited has over the crash.

It also goes into detail about how much damage the vessel sustained.

Court documents say that the vessel sustained $28 million worth of damage and had $1.7 million worth of cargo on the ship.

-ABC News' Luke Barr

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Monday gave an update on his four directives in the wake of the bridge collapse.

In order to achieve his first goal -- recovering the four victims who remain missing -- Moore said there needs to be more work done to clear the channel in order to move forward.

A portion of the bridge under the water was described as "chaotic wreckage," Moore said, and the water is "so murky and so filled with debris that divers cannot see any more than a foot or two in front of them."

Every time a diver goes in the water to search for a victim, "they are taking a risk," Moore said.

The governor said he wants the recovery mission to be completed with no casualties. Six people have been killed in the bridge collapse, Moore said, adding, "I refuse to lose any more."

As for another goal -- reopening channel traffic -- the governor described the scale of the project as "enormous."

"Unified Command has scheduled another lift for later today, pending conditions -- specifically pending lightning. And they will be lifting an estimated 350-ton piece from the bridge," Moore said.

A temporary channel opened Monday to help get more vessels in the water around the site of the collapse, he said.

"The temporary channel will be marked with government lights to aid navigation and will have a controlling depth of 11 feet," Moore said.

Crews are also working on creating a second temporary channel that will measure about 15 feet deep, he said. That's expected to open "in the coming days," he said.

After more debris is cleared, crews will also work to open a third alternate channel with a depth expected around 20 to 25 feet, said Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District. No timeline for this channel is known.

President Joe Biden will visit the Baltimore bridge site on Friday, April 5, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Biden will be joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

Jean-Pierre did not have any updates on the cost of rebuilding the bridge, repeatedly pointing back to the $60 million in emergency relief funds approved by the Biden administration to begin the recovery efforts.

"We're going to have continued conversation with the state of Maryland to get a sense of how much this is going to cost, and we have said, we are going to certainly continue to talk to Congress to get some assistance here," she said.

-ABC News' Karen Travers

A temporary channel has opened in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but the channel is limited only to vessels working on the bridge response, the Unified Command said.

The temporary channel is a very small opening, only accessible for small boats, the Unified Command said.

The Unified Command is made up of agencies including the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland State Police.

Temporary channel opens for limited access in Baltimore bridge collapse

-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney

Collapse could cost as much as $4 billion

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge could cost as much as $4 billion, which would make the incident a record shipping insurance loss, according to a Morningstar analysis citied in a new Department of Homeland Security assessment obtained by ABC News.

There are currently seven vessels at anchor awaiting to enter the Port of Baltimore, the document said. Two have been directed to other ports.

Dive operations on Thursday will confirm the ship’s stability and structural integrity so crews can begin to offload the 13 damaged containers, the document said.

The bulk of the hazardous material is located on the stern. Of the ship's 4,700 containers, 56 hold dangerous goods, but there is no threat to the public, the assessment said.

Two containers went overboard during the collision, but they did not contain hazardous materials, the document said.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Top Stories

Why april's total solar eclipse will be a historic event in the us, millions go missing from money storage facility in la-area on easter, jan. 6 rioter who led crowd in attacking police sentenced to over 7 years in prison, total solar eclipse forecast: clouds could block eclipse in these areas, burglars steal $30 million in cash from los angeles money storage facility, police say.

2024 total solar eclipse is Monday: What to know less than a week out

Editor's note: An updated cloud forecast for the April 2024 total solar eclipse is in. Read the latest eclipse forecast and news as of Wednesday, April 3 .

The 2024 total solar eclipse is now less than one week away, and forecasters are getting a clearer picture of what the skies will look like. It's not all good news for people who want to see the spectacle.

On Monday afternoon, April 8, a total eclipse of the sun will cross over a dozen states as it traverses from Texas to Maine.  Millions of people are expected to travel  to see it.

The  full total solar eclipse experience  will plunge people along a narrow path into darkness midday, but people outside  the path of totality  can still use eclipse glasses (maybe  free eclipse glasses ) to see the moon pass in front of the sun — if it's not blocked by clouds.

Meanwhile, those planning to order glasses online may be rapidly running out of time to do so in order to have them delivered on time .

Here's the latest weather forecast for the day of the eclipse:

A grim forecast for Texas

Unfortunately, the weather is looking iffy for folks in some places, especially Southern areas: The cloud cover forecast "shows fairly high probability of clouds in Texas up through the Mississippi Valley," wrote meteorologist Matt Lanza on his blog The Eyewall.

The National Weather Service in Dallas said there's only a dismal 15% chance for favorable viewing conditions in Dallas on April 8. "The outlook for favorable viewing conditions continues to deteriorate as the event approaches," the weather service said.

Indeed, the computer models that meteorologists use to forecast weather show a grim forecast for Texas: "The operational runs of both the GFS and European models have, consistently, shown nearly 100 percent cloud cover across much of the state during the early afternoon hours on Monday," said Eric Berger, a Houston-based meteorologist on the blog Space City Weather .

Another forecaster, Marc Chenard of the Weather Prediction Center, confirmed the gloomy forecast to USA TODAY: "Cloud cover is most likely in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas," he said. In fact, "varying degrees of cloudiness" are likely all the way to the Ohio Valley, he said.

Could there be storms on Monday?

Monday may not only be cloudy in some areas, it could also be stormy, forecasters said: "At this time, specifics about hazardous weather are unknown," the Weather Prediction Center said. "However, rain and thunderstorms do appear possible in and near the path of totality in Texas, southeast Oklahoma, and Arkansas."

Where is the best chance for clear skies for the total eclipse?

For the total eclipse, the best chances for clear conditions are in New England and upstate New York, Chenard told USA TODAY.

"If I’m picking a place right now, it’s probably like Watertown, New York," Lanza said.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo is also bullish on the chances for good weather, with a caveat: The forecast continues to suggest dry weather for Monday with high pressure over the eastern Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, "however it is FAR too early to forecast cloud cover with any confidence or reliability," the weather service wrote in its forecast discussion.

Ironically, the prediction of clouds in Texas and clear skies in the Northeast are the opposite of  historical trends for cloud cover .

Where is the cloud forecast best for the partial eclipse?

There will also be ample opportunities for folks to view the partial eclipse: "The best locations for viewing can be the Southwest and the East, especially east of the Appalachians," AccuWeather lead long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok said. "Cities like El Paso, Albuquerque, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York City and Raleigh should all have great views."

Although not in the path of totality, regions in the Southwest also look to have ideal weather.

"The area from West Texas to southern Arizona should also have favorable viewing conditions," Pastelok added. "These areas will be close to the path of totality with the least amount of cloud cover anticipated."

Order eclipse glasses online now to have them delivered on time

If you're buying your specs through American Paper Optics, the nation's largest supplier of eclipse glasses, the company makes it easy for you with  a countdown at the top of its website  for how much longer you have to procrastinate. As of Tuesday morning, customers have little more than three days to make their purchase and take advantage of the company's  express shipping  across the country.

That's about the same amount of time allotted to  Walmart+ online shoppers , as well as Prime members looking for reputable  glasses on Amazon .

Many eclipse websites like  GreatAmericanEclipse.com  and  NationalEclipse.com  also sell a variety of eyewear products, along with plenty of other gadgets — but double check that estimated delivery date before checking out.

How do I watch the 2024 solar eclipse, if clouds don't block it?

There are a few ways of watching the eclipse:

• Get the full experience in person : If you're in a narrow band of U.S. land that spans from Texas to Maine, you could see the moon block the sun and its shadow cast a night-like darkness over Earth for a few minutes. You could briefly be able to look up without eye protection and see the moon block the sun.
• Watch from outside the path of totality : Much of the U.S. could get a partial view of the eclipse that isn't nearly as impressive as being in the path of totality. Earth won't be plunged into complete darkness and you'll have to wear protective eyewear to see the moon partially block the sun.
• Watch a livestream : Check back on April 8 for a video feed from the path of totality. It's not the same as being there in person, but hey,  at least you won't have to sit in traffic .

What time is the solar eclipse on April 8?

The eclipse will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT, but the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path.

Here are the major cities in each state where you can expect to experience totality (note that the included times do not account for when the partial eclipse begins and ends):

• Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 p.m. CDT
• Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 p.m. CDT
• Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 p.m. CDT
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 p.m. CDT
• Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 p.m. CDT
• Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 p.m. CDT
• Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 p.m. CDT
• Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 p.m. EDT
• Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 p.m. EDT
• Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 p.m. EDT
• Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 p.m. EDT
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 p.m. EDT
• Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 p.m. EDT

Will clouds really ruin the eclipse?

Clouds are just part of weather, and as noted in the latest forecast, it's likely that some of the millions of people  in the path of totality for April's total eclipse  will have to  endure overcast skies that will impact the experience .

But determining how clouds would change your view depends on the types of clouds – and which expert you ask. Some advise eclipse watchers to not worry about the skies, others say an overcast sky can ruin the experience.

Before last year's annular solar eclipse, National Weather Service meteorologist Tim Daldrup told  Oregon Public Radio  that if clouds are in the forecast, you should hope for the "right kind of clouds."

“If we want to see it, we’ll want the higher-level clouds,” Daldrup told OPR. “Those tend to be the more feathery cirrus clouds that can still be seen through. They might obstruct the eclipse but you can still see it.”

Cirrus clouds would be in contrast to some of the more eclipse-unfriendly clouds, such as a thick deck of lower-level stratus or cumulus clouds that would likely completely block the sun.

New York inmates say a prison lockdown for the eclipse violates religious freedom

Inmates at a New York prison who are being prevented from witnessing  next week's total solar eclipse  have filed a lawsuit against the state corrections department, claiming that the decision violates their religious freedoms.

The  celestial phenomenon , which has not passed over New York since 1925 and will not be seen again in the state until 2079, "is a significant religious event for people of many different faith backgrounds," according to the complaint, which was filed Friday in federal court in upstate New York.

However, New York corrections officials put a lockdown in place at its facilities  for April 8 , the day the eclipse will  pass over a long stretch of North America , including New York, as the moon blots out the sun. Among them is the Woodbourne Correctional Facility, the prison in Woodbourne where six men of varying religious faiths jointly sued the corrections department over the policy.

The plaintiffs – a Baptist, a Muslim, a Seventh-Day Adventist, two practitioners of Santeria and an atheist – are asking a judge to order the corrections department to immediately rescind the lockdown memo and provide  eclipse glasses  to all inmates who wish to view the eclipse, as it did when a partial eclipse was visible in 2017  in New York.

"This should not be controversial and was previously allowed during the last solar eclipse viewable in New York State," the lawsuit stated, arguing that the lockdown is unconstitutional.

'Devil' comet to make an appearance this month

As if a solar eclipse weren't enough, observers on April 8 may also get a glimpse of a rare "horned" celestial show , a dazzlingly bright comet with a scary name.

A comet designated 12P/Pons-Brooks got the much more interesting name “devil comet” when it had an outburst, a large ejection of dust and gases, in July 2023.

On the day of the Great American Eclipse , the devil comet may become visible to the unaided eye, astronomers say.

Amateur and professional observers in the Northern Hemisphere will get a unique opportunity to view the comet, which is renowned for its periodic eruptions of gas and dust.

Where is Diddy? Sean Combs remains in U.S. amid widening sex trafficking probe, sources say

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Two days after federal authorities searched his homes in a probe of sex trafficking, Sean “Diddy” Combs remains in the United States and vows to fight the allegations, sources close to the music legend said.

His 17,000-square-foot Holmby Hills mansion, where Combs debuted his last album a year ago, was flooded with Homeland Security Department agents who gathered evidence on behalf of an investigation being run by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York, according to law enforcement officials familiar with the inquiry. His Miami home was also searched.

Sources with knowledge of the situation said Combs was scheduled on Monday to depart by plane for a spring break vacation with his school-age daughters but opted to delay the trip after learning of the search. He still has his passport, they added. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces sweeping sex-trafficking inquiry: What the feds have, need to prove

Legal experts say it could take time to build a criminal case against the hip-hop mogul but note that civil lawsuits against him could offer investigators a road map.

March 26, 2024

Homeland Security agents did not detain Combs at an executive airport in Miami, but they did stop a plane on the ground, they said.

Miami-Dade police officers who accompanied them arrested Brendan Paul, a man in Combs’ entourage, after cocaine and marijuana-laced candy was allegedly found in his bag.

Paul, 25, was recently described in a lawsuit against Combs as his “mule” for narcotics and firearms.

Authorities have declined to comment on the case , and Combs has not been charged with any crime.

Law enforcement sources with knowledge of the sex-trafficking investigation said federal authorities have interviewed at least three women but declined to provide any details.

Inside the Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ raids: Emptied safes, dismantled electronics, gun-toting feds

Legal experts said investigators would likely seek authorization to ‘search for videos or photographs on any devices connected to the target.’

March 28, 2024

Combs’ former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, the singer known as Cassie, accused him in a lawsuit of rape and repeated physical assaults and said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes as he watched. Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Combs in a suit of drugging and raping her in 1991, recording the attack and then distributing the footage without her consent.

Another woman, Liza Gardner, filed a third suit in which she claimed Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall sexually assaulted her. Hall could not be reached for comment.

Behind the calamitous fall of hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

In the wake of multiple lawsuits filed against him, former members of Combs’ inner circle told The Times that his alleged misconduct against women goes back decades.

Dec. 13, 2023

Another lawsuit alleges that Combs and former Bad Boy label President Harve Pierre gang-raped and sex-trafficked a 17-year-old girl. Pierre said in a statement that the allegations were “disgusting,” “false” and a “desperate attempt for financial gain.”

Aaron Dyer, one of Combs’ lawyers, on Tuesday called the raids a “witch hunt” and criticized how they were conducted.

“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” Dyer said in a statement. “This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations.”

The sources said that it appeared investigators searching Combs’ L.A. home emptied safes, dismantled electronics and left papers strewn in some rooms.

More to Read

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Richard Winton is an investigative crime writer for the Los Angeles Times and part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for public service in 2011. Known as @lacrimes on Twitter, during almost 30 years at The Times he also has been part of the breaking news staff that won Pulitzers in 1998, 2004 and 2016.

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Total solar eclipse forecast shows who has best chance for clear skies on April 8th

A clear sky is key to watching the april 8th total solar eclipse. the fox forecast center has put together a forecast showing areas more or less likely to be impacted by cloud cover during the eclipse..

Thunderstorms possible for Dallas-Fort Worth on April 8th total solar eclipse day

The FOX Forecast Center is tracking a potential severe weather threat for areas along the path of totality including in Dallas-Fort Worth. The eclipse day cloud-cover forecast is looking more promising for those in the northeast.

Forecasts for the total solar eclipse now show a higher probability of clouds threatening parts of the southern and central U.S. , while the Northeast and New England trend in the right direction with an improving outlook for less cloud coverage.

On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Mexico , Canada and the U.S., from Texas to Maine . A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth , completely blocking the face of the Sun for several minutes. It will be the last time a total solar eclipse passes over a large part of the U.S. until 2044 .

To experience the full eclipse, you'll need a pair of solar glasses and to be located along the more than 100-mile-wide path during totality. A clear sky is also key to watching a total solar eclipse . 

The FOX Forecast Center has put together the cloud cover forecast shown on the map below, showing areas with an overcast sky, many clouds or few clouds during the eclipse. As the eclipse nears, computer forecast models will improve and be able to give forecasters a better idea of what the sky will look like on the big day.

PLANNING AN ECLIPSE ROAD TRIP? AAA SHARES TRAVEL ADVICE, SAFETY TIPS AHEAD OF APRIL 8TH

With April 8th just days away, the FOX Forecast Center says the trend for clearer skies is improving at the northeastern end of the path of totality but is getting worse for clouds at the southwestern end of the eclipse path. 

Buffalo , New York , is currently forecast to have some clouds on the day of the event, but less cloud cover is expected to the north and east. The forecast is looking favorable for Caribou , Maine, one of the last places to see the eclipse in the U.S. before the path of totality heads into Atlantic Canada.

For the Midwest , cloud cover could be less around Paducah , Kentucky , and near St. Louis but will increase closer to the Great Lakes region, including Cleveland .

For now, clouds remain most probable around the Great Lakes and Gulf Coast, with greater confidence in less cloud cover around Florida and New England. 

Severe thunderstorms possible in South on eclipse day

Many of the prime viewing spots of Texas through the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys are currently forecast to have overcast skies or many clouds. Popular viewing spots, including San Antonio , may have trouble from clouds on April 8th.

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of North Texas, southern Oklahoma , northwestern Louisiana and southwestern Arkansas for a potential severe weather threat on the day of the eclipse .

This risk zone includes the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex and other towns in the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley along the path of totality.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the good news is that the severe weather may not arrive until late afternoon after the eclipse is over. Totality in Dallas begins at 1:40 p.m. CT. However, eclipse viewers will likely be dealing with heavy traffic for hours after the eclipse, which could coincide with thunderstorms .  

DALLAS AREA IN EARLY SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WARNING FOR MONDAY'S TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

NOAA's Storm Prediction Center has issued an early severe weather risk for the Red River Valley that encompasses the Dallas area and others in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. 

(FOX Weather)

The details will become clearer as the event draws closer, so stay tuned, the FOX Forecast Center says.

WHAT HAPPENS TO CLOUDS DURING A SOLAR ECLIPSE? NEW RESEARCH MAY SURPRISE YOU

We can also look at cloud climatology data to see where clouds are more likely to cover the eclipse on April 8th. The map below shows the cloud cover averages over the past 30 years. 

It's also important to note that even if it's cloudy, you will likely still see at least some of the eclipse. 

HOW TO SAFELY WATCH A SOLAR ECLIPSE

Check back with FOX Weather for updates to the forecast as April 8th approaches, and add your viewing location to the "Events" tab in the FOX Weather app.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove a graphic that wasn't ready for publication.

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• idaho college murders

Murders strain Moscow, Idaho financially as investigation expenses mount; arraignment Monday

Bryan Kohberger Idaho case costing town: 'We weren't prepared for this'

MOSCOW, Idaho -- A quadruple homicide rocked the quiet Idaho college hamlet of Moscow last year. But the financial repercussions are only now coming into focus.

"It was a tragic and horrible event that no one saw coming," Moscow Mayor Art Bettge said. "A difficult six months."

The city's already slim budget is straining under the weight of the investigation's mounting expenses. Even before the killings, the police department alone cost $7.2 million, Moscow officials told ABC News - several hundred thousand dollars more than the $6.9 million in property taxes brought in, police and city officials said.

The police department is the largest chunk of Moscow's funding for basic government services, at more than a third of general fund expenditures, according to city budget reports reviewed by ABC News.

Now, overtime and other expenses are growing exponentially with the ongoing need for increased patrols and law enforcement work - and shouldered by a short-staffed force putting in long hours.

"Moscow is not awash in a funding excess," the mayor told ABC News. "We run a very, very lean budget and the impact of the investigation has been felt on the budget."

Bottom line, officials said: the ongoing cost of the killings has burned through cash that could have gone to benefit the community and fix up city infrastructure.

Around noon on Nov. 13, four University of Idaho students -- Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin -- were found stabbed to death at their off-campus house by officers responding at the scene. After an intensive hunt for more than six weeks, police zeroed in on a suspect: Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University.

SEE MORE: Grand jury indicts Bryan Kohberger in connection with murder of 4 University of Idaho students

Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30 in Pennsylvania, after driving cross-country to spend the holidays at his family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday, a grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against Kohberger, including four counts of murder in the first degree. He is set to appear for his arraignment on Monday and enter a plea, according to court documents.

Even with a suspect in custody, the ongoing investigation has depleted Moscow's coffers, and scrambled an already fragile balance sheet, city officials said.

"We weren't prepared for this. This is such a horrific thing - how could you plan for this?" Moscow City Council member Sandra Kelly told ABC News.

"You budget for fires. You budget for floods. You prepare for natural disasters. This was not natural," Kelly said. "The cost is astronomical. And of course you can't skimp on keeping people safe. Yet, this is just not something you budget for - because it's something you'd never dream could happen."

Local business owner Mitchell Lopez, who co-owns the popular Main Street Mexican Restaurant "La Casa Lopez," likened the effect of the killings to the COVID-19 pandemic's pain.

"Owning and running a family business - we've always had our ups and downs - we've gone through two recessions, a pandemic, and now, this unfortunate loss of life has caused the closest thing to the pandemic - in terms of financial loss - has been from these horrendous murders," Lopez told ABC News. His family moved to Moscow in 1994 and stayed for the vibrant culture and community atmosphere.

SEE ALSO: Idaho college murder victim's family tells ABC News they're ready to face suspect in court

"We've all had some connection with these students - they ventured into our businesses, or they worked for us. We were all mourning. Completely heartbroken," Lopez said. "This town emptied out so quickly, nobody would go out - they were scared. We've always been a very safe haven and this really caused a major financial burden on every business in the area."

Before the killings, the mayor said his team had already planned to hike taxes by the allowed 3 percent, due to inflation and planned city improvement projects.

Investigating the four university murders diverts those additional dollars towards the extra police work.

"We're just trying to tread fiscal water to avoid going under," Bettge said.

After the killings, local law enforcement amped up their presence to ensure the safety of a community on edge, and to push forward the investigation. Security was posted outside the house where the four students were slain; patrols were increased on and around campus; police accrued long overtime hours from round-the-clock work and evidence analyses even as they fielded an onslaught of national media attention.

Less than three weeks into the investigation last fall, the city had already incurred more than $70,000 in overtime and other expenses, according to a letter Mayor Bettge sent to Idaho Gov. Brad Little in early December, obtained by ABC.

That five-digit figure was expected to grow "to nearly $200,000 over the coming weeks as we face additional overtime, private security, data storage, and communications assistance costs," Bettge wrote in the letter, and a further "significant financial burden" as the case unfolds.

Little has stepped in with roughly $93,000 reimbursement for public information expenses, overtime, security costs and electronic data storage, according to the governor's office.

That will help, but "does not cover the full, unanticipated impact on the budget," Bettge said, adding, "that's why we keep some reserves available to handle unexpected financial impacts."

Some of those reserves come from money left over because of unfilled positions with the police department, the mayor said.

The Moscow Police Department has more than half a dozen vacant positions, Captain Anthony Dahlinger said. They are down nine officers - a quarter of their full force.

When fully staffed, MPD has 36 sworn officers' positions including the chief and command staff, Dahlinger told ABC News. They currently have 27 sworn and certified officers.

Those empty spots - and available, already appropriated financial resources - can offer a small financial "buffer" against unforeseen blows to their bottom line, Bettge said: available "salary lapse" money from vacant MPD positions could be transferred towards upcoming infrastructure projects like renovating aging city buildings.

It now goes towards the homicide investigation, the mayor said.

SEE MORE: Idaho murders update: Video shows Bryan Kohberger in traffic stop month before students' killings

"There was most certainly an impact due to the massive amount of hours worked," Dahlinger said. "The true financial impact of the homicide investigation will not be known for quite some time as the case is still in process."

While those other projects will eventually move forward "it slows us down considerably, and stops future investment in certain aspects of the city that clearly need to be done," Bettge said, calling the situation a "complex puzzle" of "scarce resources."

"It calls into question - if budgets really begin to get rough, where do you cut?" he said. "The community suffers... sooner or later something has to give, and I don't know what that would be."

The killings thrust Moscow into the national spotlight, with officials and citizens alike facing a flurry of media attention. With the case moving forward, Latah County will shoulder more of the financial burden, but meanwhile, grappling with the ongoing saga has required both additional dollars and manpower.

The city's emergency medical services run on donated time: the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department's roughly 60 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics respond to as many as 2,000 medical calls a year on average, according to city statistics.

Moscow has contended with a "persistent" EMS staffing shortage, according to City Council strategic planning documents reviewed by ABC, which unaddressed, could create "significant damage" and have "widespread impact," a majority of the city's management leaders agreed.

"The Department is still trying to recruit/retain community volunteers and there are still challenges with paramedic coverage," according to an April presentation of the Moscow Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report from fire chief Brian Nickerson.

The nearby university offers a seasonal labor pool for EMS volunteers that shrinks once classes let out - exacerbating that shortage, city officials told ABC.

RELATED: Newly released documents detail search of Bryan Kohberger's home, office hours after arrest

"We do have less coverage when our student residents are out of school during breaks which does create challenges," Nickerson said, "especially during the school breaks such as summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring break," even with the "very dedicated community volunteers" who work through those times.

The possibility of incentivizing summer volunteers with a weekly stipend is under discussion, officials said; where the money comes from remains an open question.

"You find cash for these major challenge areas that are identified as the truly important ones, and you make it happen. But stuff like this makes it a lot harder," Bettge said.

This year, school lets out just as Kohberger's highly scrutinized case is poised to move forward.

"For us, this is unknown territory. We've never gone through this before," Bettge continued, pointing to his city's resilience. "We're feeling our way along as best we can to try to accommodate all of the needs - the competing needs: maintaining the city for our citizens - and seeing that justice is done."

ABC News' Julie Scott, Nick Cirone, Kayna Whitworth and Timmy Truong contributed to this report.

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Solar Eclipse 2024: Full List of Places That Won't See It After Path Change

T he path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse has shifted after more accurate calculations were made by a solar eclipse expert, and several areas in the U.S. originally believing they were within the path of totality are now outside of it.

On Monday, April 8, the moon will be positioned so that the entire disc of the sun will be blocked in several states, plunging millions of people into darkness during the early afternoon. The path of totality, i.e. when the sun is entirely blocked out, will start in Mexico and extend across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before heading over the North Atlantic.

The event is expected to draw large crowds as people head to areas in the path of totality to witness the eclipse. Officials have voiced concerns about stretched public safety resources and an "enormous strain" on local hospitals and congested roadways. At least four states have urged residents to stock up on groceries and gas and to fill medical prescriptions in the days leading up to the eclipse, as it is expected that traffic could overwhelm local roads.

Just a week before the event, eclipse calculations expert John Irwin updated the path of totality map with a slight but significant change. Many locations previously expected to be within the path of totality are now just outside of it, while others that weren't expecting to be included now are.

People living along the path of totality's northern edge through central Texas now have to travel slightly to observe the total eclipse. This includes suburbs northwest of Fort Worth, areas located on the outskirts of Dallas such as parts of Denton, and the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. The southern path expands near San Antonio and Austin, but shortly after that, it begins to narrow again through the rest of the U.S.

The solar eclipse path of totality cuts through the southeast corner of Oklahoma. Under the new map, areas like Utica, Bennington, and Tuskahoma could be outside of the path of totality.

Cities along the path of totality's border in the northwest corner of the state could have to travel for the eclipse. For example, less of the Ozark St. Francis National Forest will experience the path of totality. On the southern line of the path, Little Rock is still within the path of totality, but some outskirt cities like Wrightsville may now have less exposure to the eclipse.

In Missouri, the eclipse passes through the southeast corner. Residents in areas outside of St. Louis, like Fayetteville and parts of New Memphis, will now have to travel to see the total eclipse.

Southeastern Illinois is within the path of totality. Areas like Effingham and Paris are impacted by the new map.

The eclipse will occur in a path extending from southwestern Indiana through the central and eastern part of the state. Parts of Turkey Run State Park, Crawfordsville, Frankfort, Kokomo and Fort Wayne are now outside the path of totality.

Part of northern Cincinnati will now be outside the total eclipse line. Columbus and Youngstown also will be affected.

Less of Syracuse will be within the path of totality, as will many other communities like Rome and part of the Black River Wild Forest and the Siamese Ponds Wilderness.

Pennsylvania

The outskirts of Cooperstown, New Lebanon and certain areas of the Allegheny National Forest are now outside of the path, as well as many other communities.

Parts of Barre and Northfield are now outside of the path of totality.

New Hampshire

Mount Cabot and Milan Hill State Park are now outside of the path of totality.

Phillips, New Portland, Solon and part of Lambert Lake are outside of the path of totality.

Even if cities are outside of the path of totality now, they will still be able to observe the eclipse. However, the moon will not fully block the sun in those areas.

"John Irwin's map tries to represent reality more closely than other maps. The eclipse map did not really change: it is just computed in a more accurate way," a spokesperson from Besselian Elements, which published the map, told Newsweek . "John Irwin's eclipse map is computed using a value of the eclipse solar radius slightly larger than the traditional value and it accounts for the topography of both the lunar limb and of Earth. The lunar limb is not smooth but it has a complex profile with mountains and valleys.

"Other eclipse maps use the traditional eclipse solar radius and the eclipse path limits they depict usually do not account for the topography of the lunar limb (they use a smooth lunar limb without mountains or valleys)," the statement added. "Recent experimental determinations support a value slightly larger than the traditional value and John Irwin's map uses its most likely value."

The map is not expected to change again before the eclipse occurs next week.

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